In spite of the fact that the hospitality industry consists of a huge variety of jobs and careers, there are a few that stand out as the most popular.
As anyone who has contemplated embarking on a career in the hospitality industry knows, it is not a single job, but rather, a magnificent array of specialties you can choose for your future.
No matter the temptation to try them all, a person can only do so much, which is why choosing one is really necessary.
However, even with so much to choose from, there appears to be a consensus to work in four special areas based upon the most popular that attract interest and a desire.
They have been narrowed down to what is called the top four and we will touch upon each one here.
HOTEL STAFF
Hotels seem to spring up like flowers. On 32nd St off 5th avenue in New York City where one can hardly walk without bumping into another pedestrian, there are a surprising number of hotels couched between Korean restaurants not far from J.C. Penney.
You can see this rampant growth almost anywhere where crowds tend to swell. This is true not only for the United Sates, but other countries as well. They range from the elegant to the seedy, but what they all have in common is they need people to work there.
What kind of work? Well, there is the front desk person who books rooms for guests,. If there is a large pool area, try out for lifeguard. No matter, there are a number of staff positions that gives you an option. What about bookkeeper, kitchen and food, reservations. and so on.
Equal to the number of positions the multiplicity of places you can work for is encouraging. Your income would be commensurate with your responsibility.
EVENT AND MEETING PLANNER
At any visit to a large hotel you may have noticed a crowd of people who seem to be friendly with each other. These people are most likely on vital business meetings or part of a wedding reception. These events are not random happenings.
They have been meticulously planned so that everything goes smoothly and people are where they should and have to be at the right time and location.
Someone figures that all out and may even act out every movement so that there is a smooth program flow for the event.
Notice the two words used above. Act out and every movement, words that describe what an event and meeting planner has to do to make it all happen the way every one expects it to happen.
You are responsible for the accommodations and amenities of the location. There have been contracts agreed upon. Your expertise would include some knowledge of contract negotiations.
Usually this calls for a bachelor’s degree with maybe 2-4 years experience in the field. Your salary could range from 40,000 to 75,000 dollars.
EXECUTIVE CHEF
You may have seen your parents plan for a big Sunday dinner or one for the holidays but never thought of what you saw in terms of flow and direction of a kitchen.
Somehow or other the food has been planned, cooked and the table attractively set up with place mats and napkins and silverware.
How much food is needed to feed all the guests has been accounted for, what to be bought was inventoried and supplies were purchased.
All the guests seemed to enjoy the food and drinks and were happy to be at the dinner.
By now you may have surmised that I am describing the responsibilities of an executive chef.
Of course, you will have a few more concerns than your parents in this context. You will have to establish and modify the menus as time passes by with an eye on an increase in profits and a decrease in monetary loss.
You are also the one who is in charge of overseeing the overall satisfaction of your customers.
What automatically was understood by your parents will have to be undertaken formally by you. This includes a comprehensive understanding of local food sanitation regulations and rules.
An awareness of federal state laws is a must. Here too you should have a bachelor’s degree and at least 5-7 years experience.
Your compensation can range from 45,000 to 102,000.
TRAVEL COORDINATOR
If you find it a bore to check airline flights and book hotel stays and not just for yourself, but for the staff of the company you are working for, this may not be where you want to land.
A travel coordinator does just that, coordinates time, location, flights, passports, visas and other necessary travel documents.
Coordinating all this travel activity may be a vicarious enough thrill to offset the duty. And then again, you may have the opportunity to take the trip.
The salary is usually between 30,000 to 54,000.
